Indonesia’s Women and Children Ministry, Danone Strengthen Nutrition and Trauma Recovery for Earthquake-Affected Children

Children affected by earthquakes in East Nusa Tenggara need more than food and emergency supplies, Indonesia’s Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Arifah Fauzi said during a visit to the region. They also need safe spaces and long-term psychological support as they recover from trauma.

“Trauma healing cannot be done only once or twice. Long-term assistance involving psychologists is therefore needed,” Arifah said in Kupang. Her ministry is working with Danone Indonesia to strengthen nutrition support and psychosocial care for children during the emergency response and recovery period.

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Trauma healing cannot be done only once or twice. Long-term assistance involving psychologists is therefore needed.

Arifah previously visited earthquake-affected areas in West Manggarai and Manggarai to see conditions firsthand and check whether basic needs and protections for women and children were being met. The delegation included child psychologist Seto Mulyadi, known as Kak Seto, the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, local authorities, Danone Indonesia and other parties.

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This is the true character of the Indonesian people. Our mutual cooperation, togetherness and solidarity have not disappeared. Once again, we express our empathy for the current situation.

In Labuan Bajo, the group visited a shelter in West Manggarai, Golo Bias village and Komodo Regional Hospital. In Ruteng, Manggarai, it inspected the district command post, a tent school for students with disabilities and several community aid posts. The delegation also reviewed Sahabat Perempuan dan Anak, or SAPA, posts, which provide safe spaces and assistance for women and children during emergencies.

The ministry said adequate nutrition remains essential for children’s health and development. Danone Indonesia Secretary General Director Agung Laksamana described the company’s support as part of a broader spirit of mutual cooperation involving the government, humanitarian organizations, communities, businesses and other elements of Indonesian society. Arifah also praised the solidarity shown by those helping communities through the emergency and recovery process.

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When our brothers and sisters face a disaster, we are all part of the same Indonesia. In a situation like this, what matters most is how we can work together.